m.o.r.p.h

mutally organised rehabilitation & practical help

... for drug and alcohol users

	‘User-activist’ group formed by ex and on-going drug users
	Founded to find ways to reduce waiting times – and improve quality of treatment
	Needed because huge numbers of people use drugs in this country
	Some have no desire to stop – others develop problems with addiction to alcohol, heroin, crack etc
	All are entitled to quality information on harm reduction or medical interventions for treatment
	We began holding weekly meetings at Southampton’s
	Voluntary Action Centre, Kingsland Square, St Mary’s,
	Southampton, Hampshire, UK, SO14 1NW .
	Original members were being prescribed methadone or Subutex for heroin addiction
	Some had experienced prison in connection to their drug use – it hadn’t stopped anyone
	We successfully applied for funding enabling morph to rent a ‘seed office’ at
	SVS giving the group increased access to  the internet, printing and photo-copying facilities – plus a whole range of services and help from SVS. Including…
	A ‘dedicated’ project co-ordinator (Chris Hammond), Admin, IT and Accounts support
	Use of the conference facilities etc provided by SVS
	We produce a regular (monthly-ish) newsletter:   Morphin’
	We attend committees and groups concerned with the provision of treatment and support services
	We represent drug- and service-users views during the various decision making processes
	We represent and advocate the views and best interests of anyone affected by drugs in any way
	“Drugs” = alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, solvents, illicit/prescription drugs & medications etc
	We regularly consult with the local drug using community and provide an interface with a hard to reach marginalised group
	We acknowledge family, friends, partners, kids etc may be affected by someone’s drug use